MNHQ here: keep council meetings accessible!

[RowanMumsnet]

Hello

Apologies for the determinedly unglamorous thread title - we've gathered you here today to talk about council meetings!

As some of you will know, during the pandemic local authorities (councils) were given permission to hold their meetings online. This not only gave the nation the chance to enjoy the proceedings of Handforth Parish Council: it also meant that everyone who otherwise found in-person attendance difficult - perhaps because they had mobility or health issues, or because they had caring responsibilities or young children - could take part (as a councillor) or watch (as a local voter) with no barriers.

Last week councils were told that these online or hybrid meetings will have to stop almost immediately, and that everyone has to return to holding meetings in person.

We think this is a bad move, and we've been busily collecting signatures from councillors who are also parents to add to our open letter to the relevant government minister, Robert Jenrick.

If you're a councillor who's also a parent - or you know someone who is - we'd love to add your name. You can co-sign by adding your name to this document.

If you're not a parent who's a councillor BUT you agree with us anyway please help by sharing our social posts (eg here on Twitter or here on Facebook) to help us get as many signatures as possible.

And if you need any more persuasion - Jackie Weaver agrees with us

Thanks
MNHQ

[IrmaFayLear]

Is every woman kidnapped if they go to the supermarket at 7pm? Or to collect their child from Cubs? Or are parish council meetings particularly dangerous?

[RickiTarr]

@IrmaFayLear

Women are more likely to be disabled or chronically ill than men.

They are overwhelmingly more likely to be single (residential) parents than men are.

And, yes, women generally fear violent crime more than men.

So that’s several barriers to participating in local democracy that have significantly more impact on women than men.

The flippancy of some of the posters dismissing some of these concerns is quite marked.

[RickiTarr]

Talk about making a bodge up of your marketing. Maybe the logo isn’t big enough ?

[IrmaFayLear]

I’m being “flippant” about suggesting that women stay in for fear of being murdered or kidnapped.... at a parish council meeting.

Women want to go about their business, whatever that might be, and do not wish to be confined to their homes because they should be afraid . That is quite different from having childcare difficulties or being unwell.

[LIZS]

It is either/or. One of the benefits of online is that pc and their clerks can be more flexible regarding other commitments such as childcare or caring responsibilities if they can "attend" from their own homes. It means those younger than many traditionally in those roles could be involved and also members of the community attend.

[Faithtrusts]

@KeyboardWorriers you referred to council officers and councillors not members of the public, hence my comment.

[bitsinpieces]

I'm a council officer (employee of council) who has to attend these meetings, I'm a parent, I'm disabled, and I'd like to sign this as virtual meetings held online have been so much better for me - can officers sign as well as councillors? It doesn't look like it, but we matter too!

[RowanMumsnet]

@bitsinpieces

I'm a council officer (employee of council) who has to attend these meetings, I'm a parent, I'm disabled, and I'd like to sign this as virtual meetings held online have been so much better for me - can officers sign as well as councillors? It doesn't look like it, but we matter too!

Thanks @bitsinpieces - a couple of other users have made the same point. We'll have a think about what we could do that would be a bit more comprehensive and allow more supporters to sign up

[JuliaMumsnet]

Hi everyone - quick update. There's a new petition, started by Lawyers in Local Government and the Association of Democratic Services Officers (ADSO), calling on the Government "to create Parliamentary time to agree a change in the law to allow councils in England to meet remotely if they wish."

The petition also cites research you might be interested in about the period when virtual meetings were allowed, such as councils reporting better life/work balance for councillors and increased attendance at remote meetings by both councillors and the public. Conversely since councils are having to meet in person again a recent LGA poll showed a huge drop in attendance of council meetings by councillors and the public during the height of omicron. Our latest update is here and you can go directly to the petition and add your voice to the 10K people who've already signed it here.